Meet Our Team

We take great pride in our innovative, energetic, and devoted staff. We are committed to helping every child as they embark upon this exciting educational journey. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Office Staff

Leeanne Lagunas

Leeanne Lagunas
Principal
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About Leeanne Lagunas

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Neyva Leon

Neyva Leon
Secretary
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Fran Kauai

Fran Kauai
Office Technician
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Preschool

Aglae Huerta

Aglae Huerta
Teacher
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About Aglae Huerta

Hello! I am Aglae Huerta, but children call me Ms. Fabby. I have lived in Yuma, AZ since I was 18 years old. I have a Child Development Associate credential, Associates in Early Childhood, a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and I recently got my teacher certification. I have been teaching for 14 years as a preschool teacher. This school year will be my first year with District One at Dorothy Hall Elementary School as a preschool teacher. I am so excited about this upcoming school year with a wonderful team. I believe that every child needs to build their social-emotional foundation first by learning through play and collaboration.

“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings and grow”.  –Alfie Kohn

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Jannett Tansey

Jannett Tansey
Teacher
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About Jannett Tansey

Hello everyone! My name is Jannett Tansey, and I am honored to become part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary Family. I have been working in Yuma School District One, since 2008, where I have learned and performed different assigned duties. I have a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, and I have been teaching and enjoying preschool for around nine years now. I believe high quality settings provide children the foundation to become lifelong learners.

“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” - Maria Montessori

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Kindergarten

Lucero Cerda

Lucero Cerda
Teacher
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About Lucero Cerda

My name is Lucero Cerda. I grew up in Yuma, Arizona. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2018 and earned my bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education. I am an AVID certified teacher. This is my second-year teaching. I am excited to be part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary team as a kindergarten teacher. I am sure we will all have a wonderful time! I believe children learn through meaningful experiences. I value hands-on activities, explorations, and collaboration. I love teaching to seeing growth. I believe all students are capable of success. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Children are sponges, soaking up every verbal and nonverbal interaction.” - Asa Don Brown

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Angela Pereira

Angela Pereira
Teacher
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About Angela Pereira

My name is Angela Pereira. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I am a proud US Air Force Veteran and mother. I graduated from Grand Canyon University and obtained my bachelor's in Early Childhood Education. I have been an educator for six years. It is an honor to be a part of Dorothy Hall Elementary School’s amazing team this year. I have had the great experience of teaching English language learners for four years and have witnessed great student success. I enjoy learning and facilitating the AVID philosophy and implementing its strategies into my classroom. I instill the qualities of hard work, discipline, good decision making and always putting your best foot forward in all of my students. I am committed to helping children discover their talents and become the future citizens of our community. I believe all children can succeed! No exceptions!

“You can accomplish anything with students if you set high expectations for behavior and performance by which you, yourself abide.”-Harry Wong

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Marcella Reardon

Marcella Reardon
Teacher
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About Marcella Reardon

Hello! I am Marcella Reardon. I have been an educator for Yuma School District One for 22 years. It is a privilege to be a part of Dorothy Hall Elementary School’s amazing kindergarten team for the upcoming school year. I have been a skilled educator of English for many years, teaching children whose primary language is other than English. I am looking forward to learning about the AVID philosophy and implementing its strategies in the classroom. I am a Yuma native and am proud to be a part of a community that is rich in culture and history. I am committed to helping children discover their talents and become the future citizens of our community. I believe all children can succeed, NO EXCEPTIONS!

“When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them. It may take a second to say, but for them, it could last a lifetime.” - Author unknown

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Leticia Velasquez

Leticia Velasquez
Teacher
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About Leticia Velasquez

Hi, I am Leticia Velasquez, and I am excited to be part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary School staff. I received my bachelor’s of science in education with an endorsement in early childhood from Northern Arizona University in May 2018. This will be my second year of teaching. I am an AVID certified teacher, and I believe students can have meaningful learning experiences through collaboration and hands-on learning. I love teaching because I believe children have great potential. I am so excited to get this year started!

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” - Albert Einstein

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First Grade

Diana  Cabanillas

Diana Cabanillas
Teacher
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About Diana Cabanillas

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Jennifer Henderson

Jennifer Henderson
Teacher
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About Jennifer Henderson

Hello! I am Jennifer Henderson, and I am thrilled to be a part of the new adventure at Dorothy Hall Elementary! I have been a teacher for twenty years during which time I have taught adults and children in different grades. However, I always return to first grade; it is my passion to help students become readers and develop a LOVE of reading! I believe creating an environment for young students to build a solid foundation and teaching them tools to foster their desire for learning is paramount to their future endeavors. My personal beliefs and educational vision align with the AVID mission and cohesive staff selected for this amazing, innovative school. I welcome your child into my room and look forward to working with your family!

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - William Butler Yeats

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Evonne Newell

Evonne Newell
Teacher
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About Evonne Newell

Hi, I am Evonne Newell. I am very excited to be a part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary school staff. I have the honor of teaching first grade. I have been an educator for over thirteen years and have been with Yuma District One since 2013. I am an AVID certified teacher and believe that all students are capable of success. I think that building a sense of community in the classroom and allowing students the opportunity to collaborate is important. It is also important to help all students foster a love of learning.

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” A.A Milne

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Jennifer Raitter

Jennifer Raitter
Teacher
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About Jennifer Raitter

Hi there! My name is Jennifer Raitter and I will be teaching first grade this year. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in May of 2020, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood education. I am an AVID certified teacher with experience as an AVID tutor. My passion is teaching students to become creative and divergent thinkers. I loved my experience as a student-teacher at Dorothy Hall Elementary school and I am very excited to begin my teaching journey here.

“One is never so tall as when one reaches down to help a child”- Unknown

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Second Grade

Rocio Bobbio

Rocio Bobbio
Teacher
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About Rocio Bobbio

My name is Rocio Bobbio. I am very excited to be part of the Dorothy Hall team. I will be teaching second grade and cannot wait to begin this new journey. I have been with Yuma Elementary School District One since 2015. I earned my bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in liberal studies with an emphasis in science and my master’s degree in education from National University.

I have been a teacher for three years and have learned so much through my students, and the success of each student makes my job as a teacher so rewarding. I believe education is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. I love challenging and supporting students to be the best they can be. I believe all students are capable of learning and being amazing. My goal is to bring that out in each one of them.

“Be the change you want to see in the world."
-- Mahatma Ghandi

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Hanna Dafoe

Hanna Dafoe
Teacher
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About Hanna Dafoe

Hi! My name is Hanna Dafoe and I am thrilled to be a part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary staff this upcoming school year! I graduated from ASU in May 2019 with a business communications degree and a minor in nonprofit leadership and management. The following year I continued my schooling and received a certification in elementary education. I know that teaching is my calling, and I am very excited to be starting my career at Dorothy Hall! I believe in creating a healthy and safe atmosphere for all students where they can learn in a nurturing and stimulating environment. I want my students to feel included, heard, understood, respected, and be able to come to class and feel excited to be there. I am very much looking forward to the upcoming year where we will learn and grow together!

“Knowledge will bring you the opportunity to make a difference.” - Claire Fagin

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Sondra Hieber

Sondra Hieber
Teacher
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About Sondra Hieber

My name is Sondra Hieber and I am excited to be a part of the Dorothy Hall family. I received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University. I have a true passion for working with our young learners! Helping each child progress in all areas of their development- academics, social, language, and motor skills is a challenge I am honored to accept daily. I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures this growth in a positive and fun environment.

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B. King

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Third Grade

Nereyda Cochran

Nereyda Cochran
Teacher
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About Nereyda Cochran

I am Nereyda Cochran, and I have been teaching for eight years in Yuma School District One. I have taught second grade for the majority of my teaching career and am currently a third-grade English language arts teacher. I am a Yuma native and the daughter of Spanish-speaking migrant workers. I am a proud product of public education and honored to be joining a group of wonderful and innovative teachers at Dorothy Hall Elementary School. I can’t wait to begin! I will be teaching third grade for the 2019-2020 school year. I am looking forward to learning all about the AVID philosophy and strategies and implementing them in my classroom. I am excited to meet my new students and be challenged by their learning styles. I have a flexible and diverse teaching style. I believe in student collaboration and am striving to be an innovative teacher who believes ALL students are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!

“Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” - John C. Maxwell

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Morgan Lee

Morgan Lee
Teacher
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About Morgan Lee

Hi! My name is Morgan Lee, and I am excited to be joining the 3rd-grade team at Dorothy Hall. I am a born and raised Yuma. I received a dual major from Northern Arizona University in Elementary Education and Special Education. Before this adventure, I taught at Mary A. Otondo for 4 ½ years and then a virtual academy for one year. My goal is for all students to achieve success and I am looking forward to helping each one of them do that. 

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

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Celia Venegas

Celia Venegas
Teacher
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About Celia Venegas

Hi, my name is Celia Venegas, and I am one member of our fantastic third grade team. I am a proud “Yuman” and product of Yuma School District One (Go Jaguars and Falcons!). Before I obtained a bachelor’s of science degree in special and elementary education from Northern Arizona University, I worked for 11 years as the education coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club of Yuma.

I have been privileged to be able to educate 3rd graders for what is now my 9th consecutive year. In my classroom, I strive to provide a learning environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and fun by integrating AVID strategies and learning through song. It is my goal to make every student’s confidence in their mathematical abilities grow, learn how math is valuable in their everyday lives, and ultimately love math!

When I am not teaching, you can find me at the softball fields watching my daughter or volunteering at community events with my Optimist Club. I look forward to meeting all of the wonderful third-grade scholars who walk into my classroom and impress on them that they are loved and capable of success, no exceptions!

“Every problem is an opportunity for a solution.” - Anonymous

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Fourth and Fifth Grades

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey
Teacher
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About Jonathan Bailey

Hello Innovators! My name is Jonathan Bailey and I am so excited to be teaching at Dorothy Hall Elementary for the 2022–2023 school year. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University and am pumped to be teaching fourth and fifth-grade science. Ever since third grade, I have wanted to be a teacher and make a difference in the lives of others. I wholeheartedly believe that all students have the potential to be great and do great things. I am AVID certified and will do my best to create lessons that are engaging and project-based. I have a passion for ensuring that each child knows that they matter and that their voices will be heard. While I know that academic learning is important, I also value teaching to the whole child. Every student is capable of success, no exceptions!

“Everyone you ever meet knows something you don’t.” - Bill Nye the Science Guy

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Carla Brewer

Carla Brewer
Teacher
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About Carla Brewer

Hello there! My name is Carla Brewer, and I am excited to be a part of Dorothy Hall Elementary school this year. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Arizona University, and I am excited for my first group of Innovators. I am thrilled to be teaching fourth and fifth grade English and language arts (ELA) this school year. I am passionate about education, and I believe that every student deserves the best learning environment and experience while in school. Not only do I want my students to grow academically, but individually as well. There is so much for every student to accomplish, and I am dedicated to help any student do just that. Most importantly, I believe that all kids are capable of success! Hero up!

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle

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Penny Doten

Penny Doten
Teacher
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About Penny Doten

My name is Penny Doten. I’m so excited to be a part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary School staff. I’ve been teaching in Yuma School District One for 26 years, with a focus in math. I welcome the opportunity to teach fourth and fifth-grade math for the 2019-2020 school year. As an AVID certified teacher, I am committed to using strategies that will help all students become college and career ready. I believe all kids are capable of success and know that with a strong team of students, parents, and educators, we will create a positive and successful school year!

“You never fail until you stop trying.” - Albert Einstein

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Paul Flores

Paul Flores
Teacher
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About Paul Flores

Hi! My name is Paul Flores IV. I’ve had the pleasure of working with children for 17 years in both California and Arizona. I’m so excited to be teaching here at Dorothy Hall and working with all of you. I am a strong supporter of family, teacher, and school teamwork as I believe it is one of the keys to the children’s success. I can’t wait to get to know each child’s unique personality and interests so that I can bring in more resources that will intrigue their curiosity. I’m all about learning through hands-on, fun activities that challenge us to think critically, work collaboratively, and express ourselves beyond our limits. Let’s make this a year worth remembering!

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Melanny Navarro-Rodriguez

Melanny Navarro-Rodriguez
Teacher
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About Melanny Navarro-Rodriguez

Hello, I am Melanny Navarro. I am honored and thrilled to be a part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary school staff. I am so excited to teach fourth and fifth-grade English and language arts (ELA) for the 2019-2020 school year. This will be such an exciting journey at a brand new school, with brand new ideas, innovative methods, and where our instruction will be shaped to match each child’s needs. One of the things I am most excited about is that Dorothy Hall will be an AVID school! I have been working with AVID for years, and I truly believe its philosophy is effective in preparing our kids for college, careers, and life. I believe that the skills necessary to be successful in college should be taught in elementary school because every child is capable of being college and career ready. All children are capable of success, NO EXCEPTIONS!

“Don’t wait for opportunity...Create it."

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Saraka Smith

Saraka Smith
Teacher
Biography

About Saraka Smith

Hello! My name is Saraka Smith, and I am thrilled to be a part of Dorothy Hall Elementary! I am a native San Diegan who moved to Yuma, Arizona two and a half years ago. I am a first year, fourth, and fifth grade teacher and very much look forward to creating a safe, healthy, educational space for these wonderful, talented young minds to flourish! I graduated from San Diego City College in 2016 with two associate’s degrees in social and behavioral sciences as well as language arts and humanities. In 2019, I graduated from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) with a bachelor’s degree in global health. I have a passion for innovative learning and am ready to help shape innovative young minds. Each child has their own unique style of learning, and it is my mission to foster that style so that they may continue to grow into productive, well-rounded individuals making this world a little brighter each day! We are all in this together and with positivity, hope, and communication, the sky is the limit for all of our innovators!

“I’m a believer in the power of knowledge and the ferocity of beauty, so from my point of view, your life is already artful - waiting, just waiting for you to make it art.” - Toni Morrison

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Special Area Teachers

Amy Olson

Amy Olson
Music Teacher
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About Amy Olson

Hi, I am Amy Olson. I’m excited to teach general music at Dorothy Hall Elementary. I received my bachelor of music in music education from the University of Arizona in 2004. I have been a part of the Yuma Elementary School District One since 2013. I currently hold the position as principal bassoonist of the Yuma Civic Orchestra. I have been playing the bassoon for over 20 years. My goal is to instill a lifelong love of music in every child.

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato

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Jose Dorame

Jose Dorame
Art Teacher
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About Jose Dorame

Hi. My name is Jose Dorame, and I am excited to be a new addition to the Dorothy Hall team. I have been teaching in Yuma School District One for 20 years now. I graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor of fine arts in art education. I am excited to be the new art teacher and to foster the creativity within every child. I am a lifelong learner and wish to instill the importance of art education in everyone.

“I am still learning.” - Michelangelo

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Chandelle Schauer

Chandelle Schauer
Para-librarian
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About Chandelle Schauer

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Coach Tep

Coach Tep
P.E. Teacher
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About Coach Tep

Hello, I am Coach Tep and I am excited to be back on the Dorothy Hall team as the physical education teacher. I grew up in Bagdad, AZ but have been in Yuma for the last 22 years. I received my Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Arizona, Go Cats!! Over my 24 year teaching career, I have had the opportunity to work with students from kinder to college, adult learners as well as athletes. My goal is to foster an active learning environment where all my students feel safe and have fun. I want them to find ways to move that they enjoy so they will make being active and healthy a priority into their adult lives.

“Movement is the starting point for wiring the brain for learning.” -Gill Connell A Moving Child is a Learning Child 

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Support Staff

Carol Bickford

Carol Bickford
School Counselor
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About Carol Bickford

Hi! My name is Carol Bickford, and I am very much looking forward to a fantastic year as the counselor at Dorothy Hall Elementary School.

I started out in education as a 5th-grade teacher and then a middle school English teacher prior to earning my Masters in Education Degree in school counseling at NAU Yuma. After my graduation, I also served as an adjunct professor in the School Counseling Program here at NAU. I have participated in Kids at Hope for a number of years, and I have received training in the AVID Program and Capturing Kids’ Hearts.

I do believe that all children are capable of success, and I believe that it is my role, as a school counselor, to help them along that road to a successful future! I work with students both individually and in groups to promote academic motivation in addition to addressing other important areas such as developing a growth mindset, self-regulation of behaviors, and, basically, just believing in oneself. It is my goal to be available to every student and family that I may be able to help, either personally or by guidance to the appropriate outside sources.

Please never hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for the privilege!

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” Anthony Robbins

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Christina Fisher

Christina Fisher
Reading Interventionist
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About Christina Fisher

Hello, my name is Christina Fisher. I am so excited to join the team at Dorothy Hall Elementary as a Reading Interventionist. I graduated from San Diego State in 2003 with my bachelor's in liberal studies. In 2020 I earned my Master’s degree in reading with an emphasis in elementary education from Grand Canyon University. 

I have been in Yuma teaching first grade for over 17 years. Over the past few years, I developed a passion for wanting to help children more who are struggling with reading. Pursuing this passion led me to work hard for a master’s degree. This way I can focus on targeting students in small reading groups to help them reach their goals. All children have the potential to learn. I cannot wait to begin this journey as an interventionist to help fill in the gaps and help children become better readers. 

“If you don’t like what you read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling

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Marsha Gomez

Marsha Gomez
K–5 Autism Teacher
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About Marsha Gomez

Hello! My name is Marsha Gomez. I am excited to join the wonderful team at Dorothy Hall. I have been teaching at Yuma District One since 2018. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in sociology at Northern Arizona University. I am currently working on my teaching certification at Pima Community College. I have a passion for embracing Autism! This class is committed to creating an environment where your child is a valued, trusted, integral part of our family of learners!

“If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.” – Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas

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Hailey Greer

Hailey Greer
K–5 Autism Teacher
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About Hailey Greer

Hi! My name is Hailey Greer, and I am an Autism teacher here at Dorothy Hall. I graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2021 with a history degree. I am currently a graduate student at Arizona State University, and I am pursuing my master’s degree in special education. I am very excited to be a part of the Dorothy Hall team! I love the emphasis of inclusion on this campus and the opportunities that it provides all students.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” — Dr. Seuss

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McKenzie May

McKenzie May
Resource Teacher
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About McKenzie May

Hello Innovator family! My name is McKenzie May. This is my seventh year of teaching. I moved to Yuma from Kansas to begin my teaching career with Yuma School District One in 2016. I received my Bachelors of Art Education with an emphasis in ceramics from the University of Kansas in 2015. I received my Master’s of Special Education from Northern Arizona University in 2020. As an educator, I have had the opportunity to focus on building strengths such as empathizing with my students while maintaining productivity and a positive environment. I strive to foster understanding in my classroom in order to expand the knowledge base of my students as well as nurture their emotional needs. I feel comfortable taking on the role of both student and teacher and am able to challenge my students and myself to be the best we can–in and out of the classroom.

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” - Malala Yousafzai

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Paraprofessionals

Dayna Bringle

Dayna Bringle
Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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About Dayna Bringle

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Diana Flores

Diana Flores
Preschool Paraprofessional for Aglae Huerta
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About Diana Flores

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Clarissa Fonseca

Clarissa Fonseca
Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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About Clarissa Fonseca

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Camila Ibarra

Camila Ibarra
Paraprofessional for Jannett Tansey
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About Camila Ibarra

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Veronica Lee

Veronica Lee
Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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About Veronica Lee

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Litzy Maldonado

Litzy Maldonado
Paraprofessional for Aglae Huerta
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About Litzy Maldonado

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Amanda Narde

Amanda Narde
Second/Third Grade Grade Paraprofessional
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About Amanda Narde

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Karla Ramirez

Karla Ramirez
Paraprofessional for Hailey Greer
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About Karla Ramirez

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Danielle Schlager

Danielle Schlager
Paraprofessional for McKenzie May
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About Danielle Schlager

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Sara Simpson

Sara Simpson
Paraprofessional for Hailey Greer
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About Sara Simpson

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Sherryl Tapia

Sherryl Tapia
Fourth/Fifth Grade Paraprofessional
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About Sherryl Tapia

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Cereth Torres

Cereth Torres
Paraprofessional for Hailey Greer
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About Cereth Torres

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Grace Villicana

Grace Villicana
Paraprofessional for Aglae Huerta
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About Grace Villicana

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Ashley Worley

Ashley Worley
Preschool Paraprofessional for Jannett Tansey
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About Ashley Worley

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Linda Wright

Linda Wright
Kindergarten/First Grade Paraprofessional
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About Linda Wright

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